Seven years ago, we traveled through Northern Italy. Have you ever been? Even now, I can shut my eyes and remember the aromas of truffle oil and garlic that saturated the air around our apartment in Florence. So heavenly!
What does this have to do with writing novels? Everything.
You see, at the time, I was about to start writing the second novel in the Sea Glass Inn series, but I had not yet created all the tides that my heroine, Meg, would swim against on her journey to wholeness.
What to do, what to do. And then—a lightbulb moment.
Why not send her to Italy? Better yet, she should run away to Italy!
With that tidbit of Meg’s life figured out, I found myself paying closer attention to the places we visited, the sounds and sights, the experiences, the gelato, so I could bring as much detail as possible to readers. And they noticed. One large book club even hosted an Italian dinner night to discuss the story. (They were kind enough to invite me!)
As for our trip, we traveled through Rome, Verona, Lake Garda to visit my husband’s relatives, and Bologna.
But it was our extended stop in Florence that truly inspired Meg’s time in Italy. Who wouldn’t be inspired by all that history and art?
- The Ponte Vecchio over the Arno River
- The statue of David within antiquated museum walls
- Luigi Cherubini’s conservatory (Cherubini is the original spelling of my husband’s last name!)
- And, of course, the Duomo, which sits in the center of a bustling piazza
True confession: I didn’t realize when writing this post that Runaway Tide was already scheduled to be free today–but it is! The freebie lasts through tomorrow only.
I hope you pick up Runaway Tide now or in the future to find out if a spontaneous trip to the ancient city of Florence, Italy really does have the power to reignite lost love …
Before I leave you, I wonder … what locale would you love to see as the setting of a novel, and why?
Hi Julie! This retired high school teacher was born in Berlin, Germany and have cousins living in Germany, I enjoy reading stories set in Germany. I also lived a decade in the Chicago area, so I enjoy reading books set in Chicago. As a Midwesterner, who has traveled the states from coast to coast, enjoys stories with a Midwest setting – Michigan, Illinois, Indiana and Missouri. I have also traveled to 9 countries on 3 continents. I have not read many stories set in Japan, which I visited in 2008. As a retiree, I enjoy reading stories with unique settings – arm chair travel at its best. No passport required. No jet lag. Thanks for sharing your story. Best wishes. Happy writing.
I have been to Italy, Rome, Naples, and Venice. Our friends dropped us off in Florence where we took the train to Venice. I wish I had more time to visit Florence. Scotland and Ireland are on my bucket list and I love reading stories taking place there.
I’ve not been out of the States, and I’ve not been to half of those, not even close, I like anywhere and everywhere!
Hi Renate – I love how you’ve been all over the place. The only time I’ve been to Germany was on a layover. Thankfully, it was long enough for our son to have a giant pretzel :-). I know what you mean about armchair travel–I love that too! My father lived in Japan during wartime and I often heard his stories. Even in his 90s he was still able to speak a bit of the language.
Love that train station in Florence, Gina–Santa Maria Novella! I only saw a tiny bit of Verona, so that’s the place I want to go back and visit. Oh, and if you’re looking for a good read set in Ireland, Jenny B Jones wrote one that was made into a movie a couple of years ago. It’s called There You’ll Find Me. (I read it and saw the movie too :-)
Hey Julie, I loved hearing about your travels to Italy! Never been there myself or seen much of Europe. In 1984, I visited the Netherlands but East Africa was my destination on a mission trip to Kenya and Uganda. The change in the people were so opposite. Felt so much at home in Africa.
Thanks Julie I have downloaded the book, looking forward to reading it!
I’ve been to Italy a couple of times but never Florence – although it’s all nearer for me as I’m already in Europe! I’ve always wanted to visit Austria, particularly Vienna, so would love to read a story set there.
Interesting question. My first thought is Hawaii but that for Americans is still part of the USA. Then I thought Austria and retrace some of the places The Sound of Music was filmed. My friend spent a year in England/Scotland and did some tours in Europe. She had a photos of her climbing the trees the Von Trapp kids were climbing.
The Netherlands with the tulips would be wonderful. Also some of the countries which don’t get the mentions as much.
Hi Julie! I just downloaded your book and am looking forward to reading it. I like reading books set in places I have been. Unfortunately, I have not been to Italy or even out of the U.S., except when my husband was stationed in Okinawa in the early 1970’s. That would be an interesting setting for a novel maybe set some time between the end of WWII and 1980. I understand it has changed dramatically in the last 50 years and is more of a resort now. So, I probably wouldn’t even recognize it now.
Scotland. I want so badly to go there, so I love living vicariously through protagonists whose stories are set in Scotland. 😀
I would love to see a novel set in the area of Thomas, Davis, Blackwater Falls, Canaan Valley, Snowshoe, West Virginia. There is a lot of history as well as small communities with plenty of farm land to be interesting location for many stories. Thank you for sharing. God bless you.
fun setting
Denise, that sounds like such a special trip!
So many places I haven’t been either that it’s fun to read about them!
True story, Jenny — I’ve never been to Hawaii. Gasp, I know. I actually had my first trip booked in 2020 … but you know how that went! So I do like reading about Hawaii, but oh, the Netherlands sound beautiful!
I hope you enjoy it, Ruthie! And Vienna sounds beautiful.
Hi Bonnie, My father was stationed in Okinawa many years ago (before I was born), so I’d be interested in that too. Thank you for reading Runaway Tide–I hope you enjoy it!
Hi Debra! I’ve never been to any of those places, but would love to know more myself. Thank you for your reply :-)
Thank you :-)